Steven Seagal bashes NFL protests during a live interview in Russia

Live from Moscow, action star Steven Seagal said that he found the recent NFL protests to be “outrageous” and “disgusting” during an unusual interview with Piers Morgan on “Good Morning Britain.”

Morgan asked Seagal what he thought about the NFL players who have been taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice in the US.

Seagal said that despite believing in free speech he did not feel that NFL players should be holding the US or the world “hostage” by imposing their political views on people “tuning in to watch a football game.”

Seagal then continued to say that he thought the protests were “outrageous,” a “joke,” and “disgusting.” The actor said that he respects the American flag, and has risked his life many times for it, although he never elucidated how.

Morgan was quick to point out that some people might feel skeptical of Seagal’s seemingly patriotic stance on the protest while he’s giving an interview in Russia, with the Kremlin directly behind him.

The action star barely addressed Morgan’s question and instead remarked that anyone who thinks Putin fixed the election, or that Russia has the technology to do so, “is stupid.” Seagal also said that the Russian election scandal is merely “propaganda” and a “diversion,” and continued to say that he thinks Russia and America should be “great allies.”

Segal is known for his fondness of Vladimir Putin, and once called him “one of the greatest world leaders.” Just last year Seagal was awarded Russian citizenship from Putin himself.